An initial calendar for Wolf Trap National Park’s summer season has arrived.
After teasing a couple of shows with early announcements, including “You’re Beautiful” singer James Blunt and a reunion of The Swell Season for fans of the movie “Once,” the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts unveiled a more complete line-up of events that will grace the Filene Center stage once the weather heats up.
Released today (Tuesday), the schedule features mainstays like the Avett Brothers, who will kick off the season on May 30 and 31, and Signature Theatre’s “Broadway in the Park” as well as artists making their Wolf Trap debuts, such as singer-songwriters Jacob Collier and Maren Morris.
Other highlights include Broadway star Cynthia Erivo, who’s currently up for an Oscar for her turn as Elphaba in the “Wicked” film adaptation; “Weird Al” Yankovic, whose two-night run in July has a four-ticket purchase limit; the rock band Heart; and folk-rock singer-songwriter Paul Simon.
“From the moment visitors arrive, we want them to feel the excitement and energy of Wolf Trap’s summer season,” Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO Arvind Manocha said in a press release. “This is a place where music, nature, and community unite. This summer we’re inviting audiences to celebrate the power of live performances in one of the nation’s most unique and inspiring venues.”
Tickets for all of the announced summer shows will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. Pre-sales start today for members who donate at least $100 to the Wolf Trap Foundation, the nonprofit that works with the National Park Service to manage the park’s programming and raise funds.
When they get to the park, visitors will be welcomed by a new entrance gate that’s currently under construction, according to a Wolf Trap Foundation spokesperson.
“The new look will make it easier and quicker for patrons to get through security and to the lawn,” the spokesperson told FFXnow.
A new arrival hub was one of several upgrades envisioned by a 2021 park master plan that, so far, has resulted in permanent pavilions, a renovated concession stand and accessibility improvements.
Some changes might also be in store for Ovations at Wolf Trap, which will start accepting reservations in early March. The restaurant will be run by Wolf Trap this year after the previous vendor’s owner, Josh Plante of The Fermented Pig, died last June, leading the park to temporarily suspend service.
The park later partnered with the Springfield-based caterer What the Chef for a pop-up.
A rundown of the Filene Center’s summer season is below. Additional artists and kids’ shows at the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods will be announced in the spring.
June
- June 1: Heart
- June 6 and 7: Paul Simon
- June 8: Taj Mahal + Keb’ Mo’
- June 13: Mohan Sisters Live
- June 17: Ringo Starr
- June 18: James Blunt
- June 20, 22, 26 and 28: Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” by Wolf Trap Opera (at The Barns)
- June 21: Buddy Guy
- June 25: Hauser
- June 28: Broadway in the Park with Signature Theatre
- June 29: The Roots
July
- July 2: James Arthur
- July 5: Dispatch
- July 11: The Swell Season
- July 15: Iron & Wine + I’m With Her
- July 16: Barenaked Ladies with Sugar Ray
- July 18, 20, 24 and 26: “Dialogues of the Carmelites” by Wolf Trap Opera (at The Barns)
- July 19: An Evening with David Sedaris
- July 20 and 22: Weird Al Yankovic
- July 23: Chicago
- July 24: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
- July 27: Goo Goo Dolls with Dashboard Confessional
August
- Aug. 1: An Evening with Kelli O’Hara and Sutton Foster featuring the National Symphony Orchestra
- Aug. 3: Yacht Rock Revue
- Aug. 5: Jacob Collier
- Aug. 15: Bizet’s “Carmen” by Wolf Trap Opera (at the Filene Center)
- Aug. 16: Mary Chapin Carpenter with Brandy Clark
- Aug. 21, 23 and 24: James Taylor
- Aug. 29 and 30: Tedeschi Trucks Band + Whiskey Myers
September
- Sept. 7: Cynthia Erivo with the National Symphony Orchestra
- Sept. 9: Alison Krauss & Union Station
- Sept. 10: The Teskey Brothers with The Paper Kites
- Sept. 12: Maren Morris
- Sept. 13: Joe Bonamassa
- Sept. 18: Ziggy Marley and Burning Spear
